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What Chicago Can Learn from New York City's Budget Requirements

by Roland CaliaClick here to download the Report OverviewChicago's budget debate has increasingly…

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Spring Speaker Series: Chicago's Fiscal Reality — What Come's Next?

A City at a Crossroads The Civic Federation's Spring Speaker Series brought together Justin Marlowe, Research Professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy; former 46th Ward Alderman James Cappleman; and 9th…

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What Chicagoans Pay: A Guide to Consumer Taxes in 2026

by Mahnoor AshrafClick here to read the Full Report …

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Frequently Asked Questions: Tax Increment Financing

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS): TAX INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF)  What is Tax Increment Financing (TIF)? TIF is a tool used by local governments, like cities, towns, or villages, to boost their economies and pay for…

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Tax Increment Financing: A Primer

by Roland Calia and Daniel Vesecky Click here to read the full report …

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Chicago's Budget Process Needs a Transformation

by Daniel Vesecky Click here to download an executive summary of the report…

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Chicago's FY2026 Adopted Budget: Still Short of the Mark

by Grant McClintock and Daniel Vesecky The final FY2026 City of Chicago budget, passed by City Council…

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Understanding Chicago’s 2026 Record TIF Surplus

by Daniel Vesecky In October of 2025, Mayor Brandon Johnson released his proposed 2026 budget, which aims to close a…

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How reliable is Chicago’s assumption of casino revenue?

by Grant McClintock Since opening in September 2023, Chicago’s temporary casino has consistently underperformed revenue expectations. Presented as a potential windfall to support Chicago’s underfunded police and fire pensions, every…

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Property Tax Limitations in Practice: What the Data Reveals About Property Tax Caps in Cook County

by Christopher Berry, Roland Calia, Eric Langowski, and Annie McGowanClick here to read the full report…